Scouting Jacobs at Prairie Ridge
Jacobs (2-0) at Prairie Ridge (2-0)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday at Prairie Ridge Athletic Stadium
Last year: Prairie Ridge 27, Jacobs 10
Last week: Jacobs 37, Johnsburg 17; Prairie Ridge 26, Crystal Lake Central 6
Outlook: Two teams off to solid starts clash in a Fox Valley Conference crossover in Crystal Lake. The Wolves have held the upper hand in this series, particularly of late. Jacobs won the first 3 games between these schools from 1997-99, but the Wolves have won the last 9 meetings. Prairie Ridge enters this week tied for No. 8 in the Class 6A rankings. New Jacobs coach Bill Mitz says you can take all those numbers and throw them right out the window. "We're both 2-0," Mitz said. "We've seen things on film we think we can do just as I'm sure they've seen things on film they think they can do. Their quarterback (Stephen Covalt) is a very good athlete, and their fullback (Connor Greenwalt) runs the ball well. The biggest key for us is that when you face teams like that, you have to be disciplined on defense. Everyone's got an assignment versus the option and they're hoping you make a mistake. If you don't make a mistake, you can shut the thing down. We're excited for the challenge, and I'm sure they're excited for the challenge, too. It'll be a test for both teams." The Jacobs defense is coming off a strong performance against Johnsburg in which it limited the Skyhawks to 111 total yards and recorded 7 sacks, including a safety by outside linebacker Grant Rizza. The offense has been churning at a steady rate behind the 1-2 punch of fullback Kyle Wright (45 carries, 196 yards, 5 TD) and tailback Caz Zyks (37-176-2). Junior quarterback Jason Judson has completed 15-of-24 attempts for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns and has rushed for another. Senior receiver Emond Crosby enjoyed a big game against Johnsburg with 4 receptions for 74 yards, including a 50-yard scoring reception from Judson. "We're getting better and better each week and the kids are understanding what we're doing offensively and defensively," Mitz said. "We're having different guys make big plays, which is nice."